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“So what’s this about Lexi having her own horse? She’s five.”
Amy flashes a knowing smile. “She doesn’t have her own horse, Addison. She just renamed another one.”
“Rusty?” I whisper. Amy nods her head, smiling softy. I’m not surprised at all. I think Rusty is an angel of healing. Memories of all the time I spent with him after I was rescued surface. Riding him allowed me to stop thinking about the past and made me feel free. Made me want to move forward.
And now he’s helping heal Lexi.
My hand goes to my heart. I feel Max’s arm wrap around my shoulders as he pulls me into his side. I lay my head against his shoulder. Max knows how important Rusty is to me.
“He’s so gentle with her,” Amy says, pulling me from my thoughts. “The therapist wants to use him for more of her patients.”
“I love it. He’s meant for that, he’s perfect.”
Aiden and Lexi walk into the house hand in hand. She bounces on her toes, running to the bathroom. Aiden walks over and removes Max’s arm from me.
“I leave for five minutes and you move in on my woman,” he jokes, pulling me back into his chest. He wraps his arms around my waist, and I weave our fingers together, leaning back into him. Max laughs, shaking his head.
“Did you see Rus— Ketchup?” I ask.
Before Aiden can answer, Lexi’s back and runs up to us. “Can you watch me ride him later?” I release one of Aiden’s hands and brush through Lexi’s long, caramel locks.
“I wouldn’t miss that for anything, sweet girl.”
Her smile brightens, and she wraps her arms around my legs. “I missed you, Addie.”
I lean down and pick her up. “Oh, my gosh. I missed you so much.” I squeeze her.
“Dr. Frank says that I’m going to go to a new family,” she says, sticking out her bottom lip. “I don’t want a new family. I want to stay in this family.” Her big eyes water as her lip quivers.
My chest tightens. Aiden’s hand squeezes my hip. I want to tell her that she’s going to live with me, but I just filled out the application so it’s not a sure thing. The last thing I want is to give her false hope. Ugh! Why did the doctor have to tell her that?
“Lexi, don’t cry,” I say, wiping away a tear. “We’re working with the agency in New York to find the best home for you. I promise you that I will always be a part of your life. We’ll still see each other. Okay?” She sniffs and nods her head fast, sucking on her bottom lip. “But you still have two weeks here on the ranch. With Amy and Ted.”
“And Ketchup!” Her eyes light up.
“And Ketchup,” I repeat, brushing my nose against hers.
“Lexi, I need to go out and get the eggs for today. Do you want to help me?” Amy asks, holding a basket. Lexi’s eyes get large. She claps and wiggles to be put down.
“Yes!” she squeals, running to Amy. “I promise I won’t hide any in my pocket this time,” she says, looking down. You’d think she was sorry for doing it, but the huge smile she has says otherwise.
Amy laughs, looking at me. “So, Lexi tried to hatch an egg herself. But as soon as she sat on it …”
We all bust out laughing. Lexi blushes but then shrugs. “It didn’t work,” she says in a serious tone. Aiden laughs harder. She puts her hand on her hip, showing her sassy side. “You try and sit on an egg without breaking it. It’s not easy,” she says to Aiden. I slap my hand over my mouth trying to contain my laughter. Aiden’s head leans on my shoulder as he silently laughs.
“Come on, Lulu, show me how you collect eggs,” Max says. She jumps up and down in excitement. I’m quickly learning that little girl’s emotions are bipolar.
As soon as she leaves, Aiden straightens. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?” His voice is laced with humor.
I elbow him in the stomach, “Are you?”
He spins me around and pulls me in tight. “I want ten of those.” He flashes a megawatt smile and winks. I shake my head.
“Ten? We’ve talked about this.” My voice cracks. I can’t even imagine.
“Let’s just say we’ll never stop trying.”
“I’ll agree to that,” I say, standing on my toes and kissing him. “Ten, not so much.” I pull away and tickle him in the stomach. There is one spot where Aiden is ticklish.
